Covid-19 on Africa: Need for test kits is the biggest challenge says WHO
South Africa is the main referral laboratory for Covid-19 testing in our African region.
Now, with one million cases of Covid-19 estimated worldwide, it is important to look at the pandemic from an African perspective.
Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) held an online briefing on 9 April to address Covid-19 in Africa.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa said, “The economic impact worldwide is severe, especially in Africa. There are now more than 10 000 cases and more than 500 deaths in Africa.”
“Children need to continue with immunisations,” said Dr Moeti, which was affirmed by Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, who said immunisation campaigns must be looked at carefully. There is a need to strengthen routine immunisation in children.
She added that the most vulnerable people are being hit in this pandemic, and within these vulnerable groups, there are groups such as women and children, especially girls who are the most negatively impacted. Poirier said they have also seen an increase in violence against women and children.
A question was raised as to the recovery rates in Africa, to which Dr Moeti indicated that recovery rates in Arica are 9.4 per cent. This is remarkably slower than other regions in the world. The WHO is still recovering data from many African countries as such data is limited.
A major challenge is a need for Covid-19 testing kits worldwide. The WHO is working with multiple organisations to utilise their skills in mobilisation and procurement of these test kits. Zabulon Yoti, WHO Regional Emergencies Director for Africa, stated that South Africa is the main referral laboratory in our African region. He said that there is an urgent need to expand testing capacity to beyond capital cities.
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